Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Pontius, a deacon of Carthage

Pontius (2), Mar. 8, a deacon of Carthage. We know him only from his Vita Cypriani, prefixed to all editions of St. Cyprian's works. He was chosen by Cyprian to accompany him into exile to Curubis (cc. xi. and xii.; cf. Dodwell's Dissertationes Cyprianicae, iv. 21). The Vita is evidently an authentic record. Its style is rugged, and in places very obscure; yet presents all internal marks of truth and antiquity. It uses all the correct technical terms of Roman criminal law, and refers to all the usual forms observed in criminal trials. Jerome, in his ''Liber de Vir. Ill.'' c. 68, describes the Vita of Pontius as "egregium volumen vitae et passionis Cypriani."

[G.T.S.]